Safety scavenge screen assembly

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes a splash shield incorporating a clear viewing area, a vacuum manifold, the vacuum manifold adapted to releasably engage the splash shield, and a link emanating from the vacuum manifold, the link configured to attach to a vacuum system wherein application of a vacuum creates a laminar flow to draw vapor away from the splash shield.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/935,767, filed Jul. 22, 2020 and claims benefitfrom U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/992,727, filed Mar.20, 2020 which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to protective devices, and moreparticularly to a safety scavenge screen assembly.

In general, health care professionals work in close contact to patients.This is particularly true in the case of the dental profession. Giventhe close contact between a dentist, for example, and a patient, thepotential for transmission of air born contagions from a patientsuffering from a condition such as, for example, influenza or coronavirus, is great. Therefore, there exists a need for a device to protectthe treating medical professional from harm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of the innovation in orderto provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Thissummary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is intended toneither identify key or critical elements of the invention nor delineatethe scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some conceptsof the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented later.

In general, in one aspect, the invention features an apparatus includinga splash shield incorporating a clear viewing area, an evacuation collaraffixed along a perimeter of a lower side of the splash shield, and alink emanating from the evacuation collar, the link configured to attachto a vacuum system wherein application of a vacuum creates a flow todraw vapor away from the splash shield.

In another aspect, the invention features an apparatus including asplash shield incorporating a clear viewing area, a vacuum manifold, thevacuum manifold adapted to releasably engage the splash shield, and alink emanating from the vacuum manifold, the link configured to attachto a vacuum system wherein application of a vacuum creates a laminarflow to draw vapor away from the splash shield.

In another aspect, the invention features a system including an overheadrail system, a safety scavenge screen assembly, an articulating arm, thearticulating arm linking the safety scavenge screen assembly to theoverhead rail system, the articulating arm configured to slide and lockwithin the overhead rail system, and a vacuum system linked to thesafety scavenge screen assembly, the safety scavenge screen assemblyincluding a splash shield incorporating a clear viewing area, a vacuummanifold, the vacuum manifold adapted to releasably engage the splashshield, and a link emanating from the vacuum manifold, the linkconfigured to attach to the vacuum system wherein application of avacuum creates a laminar flow to draw vapor away from the splash shield.

In another aspect, the invention features a system including a fixationstructure, a safety scavenge screen assembly, an articulating arm, thearticulating arm linking the safety scavenge screen assembly to thefixation structure, and a vacuum system linked to the safety scavengescreen assembly, the safety scavenge screen assembly including a splashshield incorporating a clear viewing area, a vacuum manifold, the vacuummanifold adapted to releasably engage the splash shield, and a linkemanating from the vacuum manifold, the link configured to attach to thevacuum system wherein application of a vacuum creates a laminar flow todraw vapor away from the splash shield.

These and other features and advantages will be apparent from a readingof the following detailed description and a review of the associateddrawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description are explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of aspects as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary safety scavenge screen assembly.

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the exemplary safety scavenge screenassembly.

FIG. 3 is another cross section of the exemplary safety scavenge screenassembly.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary handheld positioning of the safetyscavenge screen assembly about a patient.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary system including an adjustable stand.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary overhead system.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary detached safety scavenge screen assembly.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary safety scavenge screen assembly

FIG. 9 is an exemplary safety scavenge screen assembly.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary examination room.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary safety scavenge screen assembly affixed to anexamination chair.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary safety scavenge screen assembly affixed to astationary or mobile cart.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject innovation is now described with reference to the drawings,wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elementsthroughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It may be evident, however, thatthe present invention may be practiced without these specific details.In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in blockdiagram form in order to facilitate describing the present invention.

In an embodiment, the present invention is an assembly that includes aremovable or fixed splash shield incorporating a clear center viewingarea surrounded by an evacuation collar or engaged into a vacuummanifold designed to scavenge all or the majority of patient exhalationsas well as any aerosols produced during the treatment process. Theapparatus is designed to be connected to a high-efficiency particulateair (HEPA) and/or ultraviolet (UV) filtration system in order to releasemedically disinfected exhaust. The apparatus provides an effectivephysical barrier between a patient and a medical caregiver.

As shown in FIG. 1, an exemplary safety scavenge screen assembly 10includes a splash shield 12 that incorporates a viewing area. The splashshield 12 preferably is constructed of a clear plastic. In otherembodiments, the splash shield 12 may be constructed of any appropriateclear material, such as glass. Affixed to a perimeter of a lower side ofthe splash shield 12 is an evacuation collar 14. The evacuation collar14 may be permanently or removably attached to the lower side of thesplash shield 12. When removably attached, cleaning is easilyaccomplished. The splash shield 12 is configured having a slightlycurved main surface with a portion on its perimeter to receive andposition the evacuation collar 14. In one embodiment, the evacuationcollar 14 is a flexible vacuum tubing.

The evacuation collar 14 includes a number of intake orifices 16. Theevacuation collar 14 also includes a link 18. The link 18 is used toconnect the evacuation collar 14 to a vacuum system that preferablyincludes a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) and/or ultraviolet(UV) filtration system (not shown). When a vacuum is applied, air on anunderside of the splash shield 12 is drawn through the intake orifices16 in the evacuation collar 14, out the link 18 and through the HEPAand/or UV filtration system in order to release medically disinfectedexhaust. The safety scavenge screen assembly 10 provides an effectivephysical barrier between a patient and a medical caregiver.

In FIG. 2, a cross section of the exemplary safety scavenge screenassembly 10 of FIG. 1 is illustrated. In this illustration, edges of thesplash shield 12 are more clearly shown to overlap the evacuation collar14.

In FIG. 3, another cross section of the exemplary safety scavenge screenassembly 10 of FIG. 1 is illustrated. In this illustration, the link 18,which is used to connect to a vacuum system, is more clearly shown.

As shown in FIG. 4, the safety scavenge screen assembly 10 may bemanually positioned and held by a caregiver 40 over a patient 42.Exhalations from the patient 42 are drawn away from the caregiver 40when vacuum is applied to the safety scavenge screen assembly 10,protecting the caregiver 40 and the surrounding environment frompotential air born contagions emanating from the patient 42.

As shown in FIG. 5, an exemplary system 50 includes a safety scavengescreen assembly 52 and an assembly holder 54 connected to an adjustablestand 56. The safety scavenge screen assembly 52 may be removably placedwithin the assembly holder 54. Placement of the scavenge screen assembly52 in the assembly holder 54 connected to the adjustable stand 56enables a caregiver to modify/adjust a height and/or orientation of thesafety scavenge screen assembly 52 with respect to a patient undergoingtreatment. Connection of a vacuum system (not shown) to the vacuumconnection 58 of the safety scavenge screen assembly 52 enables removalof potential air born contagions emanating from the patient 42.

A shown in FIG. 6, an exemplary overhead mounted system 60 includes asafety scavenge screen assembly 62 linked to an articulating arm 64 of aceiling assembly 66. The articulating arm 64 may be moved in any one ofthree dimensions. The articulating arm 64 slides along a trolley 68within the ceiling assembly 66 enabling the safety scavenge screenassembly 62 to be placed in multiple positions about a patient (notshown). The system 60 also may include a lighting device and/or camera70 linked to the trolley 68 with an articulating arm 71. The ceilingassembly 66 may also include one or more lights 72 to provideillumination. Connection of a vacuum system (not shown) to a manifold 74of the safety scavenge screen assembly 62 enables removal of potentialair born contagions emanating from the patient. In the embodiment shown,the articulating arm 64 includes flex collars 76, an adjustableextrusion 78 and a downtube extrusion 80.

In FIG. 7, an exemplary safety scavenge screen assembly 62 includes aslightly curved face shield 75 that is configured to be removablysecured to a manifold 74. In one specific implementation, the faceshield 75 is 20¾ inches in length, 14¾ inches width and has a curveradius of 15 inches. These example measurements include a tolerance of+/−0.25 inches.

As shown in FIG. 8, the face shield 75 includes slots 90 along its sidewalls that are designed to engage and lock in corresponding receptacles92 in the side walls of the manifold 74.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the face shield 75 is engaged within themanifold 74 and vacuum is applied, the manifold 74 creates a laminarflow to draw vapor away from a medical care provider and is bestdescribed as a linear pull design. This linear pull design enables anability to capture and hold two to four times an adult patient's tidalvolume until such time it is carried away by the manifold 74. Thisexcess volume is available to capture extreme events such as a patient'scough, sneeze or even vomit in the case of intubating physicians. Thus,the safety scavenge screen assembly 90 provides an effective physicalbarrier between a patient and the medical caregiver.

As shown in FIG. 10, an exemplary examination room 200 includes apatient 202 reclining on an examination chair 204. A safety scavengescreen assembly 206 is linked to an overhead trolley 208 with anarticulating arm 210. The safety scavenge screen assembly 206 includes aremovable face shield 212 engaged to a manifold 214. In oneimplementation, the manifold 214 in linked to a vacuum system (not show)within the articulating arm 210. In another implementation, a vacuumsystem (not shown) is linked directly to the manifold 214. Thearticulating arm 210 includes a collar 216, a extension tube 218 and afixed tube 220.

As shown in FIG. 11, a safety scavenge screen assembly 300 is affixed toan examination chair 302 with flex collars 304 and articulating arms306, both of which enable positioning of the safety scavenge screenassembly 300 in three dimensions. As described above, the safetyscavenge screen assembly 300 includes a removable face shield 308engaged in a manifold 310. The manifold 310 is adapted to link to avacuum system (not shown) directly or through a vacuum hose positionedwithin the flex collars 304 and articulating arms 306.

As shown in FIG. 12, a safety scavenge screen assembly 400 is affixed toa stationary or mobile cart 402 with flex collars 404 and articulatingarms 406, both of which enable positioning of the safety scavenge screenassembly 300 in three dimensions. As described above, the safetyscavenge screen assembly 400 includes a removable face shield 408engaged in a manifold 410. The manifold 410 is adapted to link to avacuum system (not shown) directly or through a vacuum hose positionedwithin the flex collars 404 and articulating arms 406.

It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changesand modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention. All suchmodifications and changes are intended to be within the scope of thepresent invention except as limited by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for a dental environment comprising:a splash shield for positioning between a dental practitioner and apatient, the splash shield incorporating a clear viewing area and havinga curved main surface; a flexible evacuation collar removably affixedalong a perimeter of a lower side of the curved main surface of thesplash shield; and a link emanating from the evacuation collar, the linkconfigured to attach to a vacuum system wherein application of a vacuumcreates a flow to draw vapor away from the splash shield.
 2. Theapparatus for a dental environment of claim 1 wherein the vacuum systemincludes a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) and/or ultraviolet(UV) filtration system.
 3. The apparatus for a dental environment ofclaim 1 wherein the splash shield comprises a generally curved mainsurface with a portion on its perimeter to receive and position theevacuation collar.
 4. The apparatus for a dental environment of claim 1wherein the splash shield is detachable.
 5. The apparatus for a dentalenvironment of claim 1 wherein the evacuation collar comprises aflexible tubing.
 6. An apparatus for a dental environment comprising: asplash shield for positioning between a dental practitioner and apatient, the splash shield incorporating a clear viewing area and havinga curved main surface; a vacuum manifold, the vacuum manifold adapted toreleasably engage the splash shield; and a link emanating from thevacuum manifold, the link configured to attach to a vacuum systemwherein application of a vacuum creates a laminar flow to draw vaporaway from the splash shield.
 7. The apparatus for a dental environmentof claim 6 wherein the vacuum system includes a high-efficiencyparticulate air (HEPA) and/or ultraviolet (UV) filtration system.
 8. Theapparatus for a dental environment of claim 6 wherein the splash shieldcomprises a generally curved main surface with a surface on itsperimeter to receive and position the evacuation collar.
 9. Theapparatus for a dental environment of claim 6 wherein the splash shieldis detachable.